Become’s pick of the best guides to HRT

Written by Helen Prentice

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Posted on April 05 2019

We know that when it comes to looking for information online about the menopause, it’s not always easy to find what you need. Particularly when there are so many different symptoms – some less common than others – and lots of different ways of treating them, be it with prescribed medications using HRT, or natural remedies.

Here at Become, we like to look at all the options. We know, from speaking to our customers, and from the comments we get on our Facebook Group The Chilled Menopause that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution and what works for one person may not help another. So we’ve done the hard work for you and looked online to find some of the most reputable and reliable sources out there. This guide is all about HRT – what it is and how it might help, but watch this space for features on other options such as alternative therapies and herbal remedies.

The NHS and your GP – A good place to start For an overview of the basic facts about HRT, the NHS website is a good place to start, as well as NICE, which has created specific health guidelines and advice for the menopause . It’s also worth booking in with your GP for a chat about your menopause, the symptoms you are experiencing and what your options are when it comes to the various treatments. To get the most from your appointment, try to go armed with a list of your symptoms and any specific questions you may have.

My Second Spring – A real-life resourceIf you’re looking for real-life stories, My Second Spring provides a wealth of information and includes contributions from a wide range of women, as well as health experts such as Rachel Mackey. The website features an extract from her book, which explains her common sense approach to the menopause and also discusses HRT.

Menopause Matters – An independent clinician-led websiteMenopause Matters was founded by Dr. Heather Currie to talk women through all the treatment options for menopause, including HRT. It answers many questions including what happens leading up to, during and after the menopause, what the consequences can be, what you can do to help and what HRT treatments are available, amongst others.

Dr Louise Newson – The ‘Menopause Doctor’Dr Louise Newson is a Menopause Specialist, who has set up the website ‘The Menopause Doctor’. She has written extensively about the menopause and its management. She has also trained doctors and nurses about the menopause and HRT. Her website offers a useful factsheet created to inform you all about HRT, what it is, the various types of treatment and how each might help.

Women’s Health Concern – An independent advisory serviceAn arm of the British Menopause Society, the Women’s Health Concern provides an independent service to advise, reassure and educate women of all ages about their sexual health, wellbeing and lifestyle concerns. They offer a range of printed factsheets as well as many articles on HRT, but they can also be contacted by phone or email if you need extra help or support. You can find all the details on their website.

Liz Earle – An up-to-date e-guideWhen Liz Earle started to experience menopause symptoms, she found the lack of information out there inadequate, which is what prompted her to write both The Good Menopause Guide (2018) and now a new e-guide, The Truth About HRT (£4.99). This downloadable guide aims to give all women affected by menopause symptoms, as well as the medical profession, the most up-to-date, relevant and helpful information on HRT so that they can be as informed as possible when it comes to finding ways to improve long-term health and wellbeing.

The Chilled Menopause – Support from like-minded womenOur Facebook Group, The Chilled Menopause is somewhere where all women going through the menopause can discuss health, lifestyle, fashion and beauty – including whatever questions you might have about HRT. Sometimes it good to speak to other people about their treatments and what’s worked for them. We also host guest experts who can impart important knowledge about specific symptoms and solutions.

As you can see, there’s a huge amount of advice and many discussions online where you can search and even chat about symptoms and treatment options with experts and other women. Some is contradictory and confusing, so we really do encourage you to look at the pros and cons of what is out there, do your own research, talk it over (online or in person) with others and then decide, with the help of your GP, what is right for you.

Do get in touch with us in the comments below if you have seen or used any useful guides to HRT or if you have any other thoughts about HRT and the menopause.